fall tackle Football faqs
Q – When does registration begin? When does it end?
A – Registration will open on April 1st. Will be closed as soon as we fill all teams. Some teams will be at capacity and will require a waitlist.
Q – How/Where do I register?
Q – What ages can play?
A – Our football program can accept players ages 5 through 14.
Q – How is it determined which team my player will participate?
A – Please view the age based tackle football details under Football - General Info.
Q – When does the Fall Tackle Season Start?
A – July 15
Q – Where are you located?
A – We are in the rear of Lakewood Ranch Park, 5350 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. If you turn heading west on Malachite Drive off of Lakewood Ranch Blvd, we are toward the end of the road and you can see our building on the south side of Malachite and Mustang Alley.
Q – How much is registration?
A – Registration cost for the 2026 season is $400. We offer a sibling discount of $25 for each child after the first registrant.
Q – What do I get with my registration?
A –Each player will receive a reversible personalized jersey, integrated game pants, and a warm-up t-shirt and shorts to keep. Socks and equipment bags will be available for purchase as add-ons at equipment fittings. You will also have use of a helmet and shoulder pads both to be returned at the end of the season.
Q – Do returners get priority registration?
A – All athletes are placed on a waitlist during registration. While prior participation may be considered, it does not guarantee placement.
Q – When are practices?
A – Practices starting July 15 are Monday through Friday 6-8pm. After Labor Day, practices are reduced to three days a week, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
Q – Do you ever practice other than Monday through Friday?
A – Yes, sometimes due to rainouts during the month of August, we may practice on a Saturday or Sunday. We also may practice on a weekend during August in order to get our required conditioning hours in.
Q – When/Where are the games played?
A – The games are played on Saturdays in the area. We could play teams in Manatee, Hillsborough, Sarasota and Pinellas Counties. The fields are typically no more than 60 minutes away from our home field.
Q – Are there tryouts?
A – No, there are no tryouts.
Q – How many games are there and how long does the season typically last?
A – Regular Season: There are typically 8 regular season games which usually run through the end of October. We usually have at least 4 home games and the rest are away.
Post Season: After the regular season games are over, there are Conference playoffs for the teams with the best record in their division. If a team wins the Conference Championship, they then go on to play in the Regional playoffs. If they continue to win, at the end is the Regional Championship game. Teams that win the regional championship may advance to national playoffs/championship.
Q – What paperwork is required?
• Original birth certificate (if athlete did not participate in Fall 2024)
• Pop Warner Medical Clearance Form
• Pop Warner Emergency Medical Form
• Final report card from the 2025–2026 school year
• Pop Warner Waiver & Release of Liability Form
• Pop Warner Image Release Form
• Code of Conduct
• $250 equipment check per tackle football player (held until equipment return)
• $600 volunteer check per family (held until hours are completed or cashed if not fulfilled)
• 15 hrs for 1 athlete | 20 hrs for multiple athletes | 20/25 hrs for scholarship families
Q – How can I find out about important upcoming dates and events?
A – We post all our upcoming events including paperwork turn-ins, uniform fittings, equipment handout, coach meet & greets, etc. on our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/EastManateeBulldogspw
We also have a calendar on our website where we will add important dates: https://eastmanateebulldogs.com/upcoming-dates
Q – Do your football coaches receive any formal training?
A – Yes, all of our football coaches receive Football training provided by AYF.
Q – Are your volunteers background screened?
A – Yes, all of our coaches, board members, and team parents must pass a FDLE as well as a Multistate Criminal and Sex Offender background screen before they are allowed to fill their volunteer role.